Program Overview

Art History (M.A.) Program

The Art History (M.A.) program at Wayne State University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of art history. The program offers two plans to complete the degree requirements: Plan A (Thesis) and Plan B (Essay).

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Art History graduate program, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

• An undergraduate or equivalent degree in art history, and a minimum 'B' average in undergraduate art history.
• Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic or professional activities and potential.
• Three semesters at college level (or equivalent) in an approved language with a 'B' average or better.
• Personal statement (1-2 pages), explaining the applicant's interest in and exposure to art history and the career goals the applicant wishes to pursue.
• A sample research paper (preferably on a topic in art history).

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete the online Application for Graduate Admission form, including the graduate application fee and an official transcript from each college or university attended, as well as the personal statement and sample research paper. Applicants must arrange for the three letters of recommendation to be submitted online.

Program Requirements

M.A. candidates may choose either of two plans to complete the degree requirements: Plan A (Thesis) or Plan B (Essay). All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts governing graduate scholarship and degrees.

Plan A (Thesis) Requirements

Plan A requires thirty-two credits in coursework, including at least six credits at the 7000-level and eight credits in thesis. The thesis is expected to be a more in-depth and original contribution to art historical studies.

Plan B (Essay) Requirements

Plan B requires thirty-three credits in course work, including at least six credits at the 7000-level, three credits in essay, and six credits in elective or cognate areas.

Candidacy

All graduate students begin their work as Master's Applicants. After twelve credits have been completed, a Plan of Work must be signed by the faculty advisor and submitted to the Department Graduate Officer.

Language Requirement

Students must submit a statement of reading proficiency in one foreign language for approval by the faculty as appropriate to scholarly study.

M.A. Comprehensive Exam

The M.A. Comprehensive Exam is designed to test the skills and knowledge acquired during the student's coursework, to better prepare the student to write the M.A. paper (essay or thesis), and to better prepare the student for work in the field as a museum or arts professional or in a Ph.D. program.

Time Limit

The student must complete all degree requirements within six years of initial enrollment (including approved leaves of absence).

Essay or Thesis Detailed Requirements and Standards

The program defines an Essay as a research study that synthesizes the literature, while a Thesis is research with an original contribution. The exact nature of the Essay or Thesis is to be arrived at in consultation with the individual essay/thesis advisor.

Prerequisites

All course requirements, as well as language requirements and the M.A. Comprehensive Exam, must be completed before the Essay or Thesis proposal is submitted.

Proposal and Second Reader

The student must select a Thesis (if approved) or Essay topic in consultation with a faculty member who will be the major advisor and reader of the paper.

Research and Writing

After the proposal has been accepted, the student should meet with the essay/thesis advisor to work out a practical schedule of work for completing the Essay or Thesis.

Format and Technical Requirements

The completed final draft of the Thesis submitted to the faculty advisor and second reader must contain the following:

1. title page
2. table of contents (without page numbers)
3. list of illustrations
4. text
5. footnotes
6. appendices (if needed)
7. list of works cited
8. illustrations
9. autobiographical statement (in the case of a Thesis)